Corset-clasp fastening and protector



(No Modei.)

T. 0. BATES. GURSBT CLASP FASTENING AND PROTECTOR. No. 287,997.

Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

vi i Less 9,3,

N. PETERS. Pmulkagnpmn Wa shingkm, n c.

UNITED S'FAT P OFFICE-"- THEODORE O. BATES, OF NORTH BROOKFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

CORSET-CLASP FASTENING AND PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 287,997, dated November 6, 1883.

. Application filed March arses. (No model.)

ence to means to prevent the unhooking of the clasps at the front of the corset. I attach to that half of the corset which carries the stud steel or busk flap-like pocket-piece, in which is placed a rather stiff steel or stiffener having its central part cut away or recessed opposit-e the studs. This pocket is alsoshown as containing a yielding pad, which fills the pocket-piece from edge to edge, and is interposed between the sides of the pocket opposite, and to form a soft cover for the heads of the studs. This pocket-piece or flap and its central filling form what may be called a locking device, to retain the hooks or eye pieces of one steel or busk in engagement with the studs of the other steel or busk, and pre- 1 vent the accidental disengagement of the eyepieces from the said studs.

Figure 1 represents. in front view a sufficient portion of a corset to illustrate my invention, the flap being turned back to expose the eye-piece and studs of the steels or busks. Fig. 2 is also a front view with the flap in operative position; but the flap and its contained parts are partially broken out, for the sake of better illustrating my improvements; and Fig. 3, a section on the dotted line or m, Fig. 2.

A B represent the two halves of a corset, having steels or busks a b, the former having hooks or eye-pieces a and the latter studs 6, to be engaged by the said eye-pieces, all as usual. When the corset is being worn, it frequently happens that these hooks become disengaged from' the studs, which is very objectionable, as it is especially at such time that the steels or busks are most liable to break.

To completely obviate the accidental disengagement of the eye-piece from the studs, I have attached one edge of a fibrous pocket or flap, c, at c, to that half of the corset which carries the stud steel or buskb, and have placed in the said pocket, or flap, as it may width preferably sufficient to extend across both the steels or busks a b, as in Fig. 3. This steel d is provided with a series of central holes, (1, (see Fig. 2 and dotted lines, Fig. 1,) as numerous as the studs b and which register with them, thus enabling the under side of the stiffener or steel d to descend below the heads of the studs 1)". I

To prevent the heads of the studs from working through the material of the pocket or flap, and also give body to the pocket or flap and form a pad, to add strength to and reduce the liability of the occurrence of short bends in the steel, which would tend to break the same, I have provided the pocket or flap erably of felt or thick fibrous material.

Fig. 3 shows the pocket or flap in the position it will occupy when the corset is being worn, and it will. be noticed that so long as the said pocket is kept distended by material inside of it, and is overlapped by-the dresswaist, the said flap cannot be turned backward away from the steels or busks a b, and

- extending along above both steels or busks a b, the steel or busk a cannot be moved to remove its eyes from the studs b".

I do not broadly claim a pocket orfiapto extend across and cover the studs or steels or busks to prevent the clasp from becoming unhooked. The stiffened pocket not only serves to pre vent the clasp from unhooking, but, by resting above or against the steels or busks a b, the latter are made stronger, so that they cannot be broken by reason of any bends received in use.

Instead of using metal for the part (I, I might employ rawhide or stiff paper-board, such as used as substitute for leathers I claim- 1. The combination, with the usual stud and eye steels or busks of a corset, of a protector and fastener consisting of a pocket containing a stiffener having holes registering with the studs, substantially as shown and de scribed.

2. A corset clasp fastener and protector be called, arather stiff steel or stiffener, d, of a with a soft flexible non-metallic pad, g, prefconsisting of the steel or stiffener (2, provided to this specification in the presence of two sub:

with a series of holes or openings, (1, for the scribing witnesses.

reception of the studs a, pad g and an inc1osing-pocket attached to the c o1 set to ex- THEODORE BATES 5 tend over and cover the usual eye and stud I WVitnesses:

steels or busks, substantially as described. BENJ; L. SAMPsoN, V

In testimony whereof I have signed mynaine V H; H. FAIRBANKS. 

